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In that the return for Fowler (Luis Valbuena and Dan Straly) does not seem equal to his worth, I'm guessing that this was entirely a $ decision.

Fowler was eligible for arbitration this year and asked for 10.8 million. The Astros had offered 8.5 million. It may seem like Houston is being awfully cheap, hurting the team in order to save two million, but it is more than that. Fowler will be a free agent at the end of the 2015 season and the Astros must be thinking that they would not be able to afford what he would command. Accordingly, they decided to get what they could for him while they still could get something. Unfortunately I don't see those somethings as helping the team very much.

I'll miss Dexter, too. Had he stayed, he certainly would have produced. Luhnow would have definitely kept him for one more year had a better idea not come up. And now they got Colby Rasmus signed for one year. As Peter Marshall used to say on Hollywood Squares, "This maaaaay work out...."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grandstander

In that the return for Fowler (Luis Valbuena and Dan Straly) does not seem equal to his worth, I'm guessing that this was entirely a $ decision.

Fowler was eligible for arbitration this year and asked for 10.8 million. The Astros had offered 8.5 million. It may seem like Houston is being awfully cheap, hurting the team in order to save two million, but it is more than that. Fowler will be a free agent at the end of the 2015 season and the Astros must be thinking that they would not be able to afford what he would command. Accordingly, they decided to get what they could for him while they still could get something. Unfortunately I don't see those somethings as helping the team very much.

Brad Peacock is hurting now, so it opens up a door for Straily. There are also talks going on with former Giant Ryan Vogelsong, who has pitched his best baseball this decade. Nothing wrong with the 'Stros keeping costs down as much as possible, but on paper, this has been a good offseason with all the moves they've made.

Regarding Valbuena, that will turn out to be a good deal. He's projected to possibly platoon at third with incumbent Matt Dominguez. They both defend well and will offer a good lefty/righty strategy.

I see Houston and the Cubs as two young teams soon to be on the rise. Very happy for both organizations. This is coming from a Braves fan. Gattis Is a folk hero in Georgia. Get him 500 at bats and see what he can do.

I see Houston and the Cubs as two young teams soon to be on the rise. Very happy for both organizations. This is coming from a Braves fan. Gattis Is a folk hero in Georgia. Get him 500 at bats and see what he can do.

If Evan gets to play every day, then certainly, especially when you consider him switching over to the American League. He's played catcher, first base, and left field, so A J Hinch has a lot of possibilities on where to put him in certain games. He'll likely split time between left field and designated hitter.

Astros came home last night and had a disappointing loss to the Royals in exhibition. They'll get another opportunity tonight against same.

Hinch's roster is pretty well set going in.

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